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Oakland Hills #6
Going Wild
When accountant Jane finds herself attracted to handsome, free-spirited Grant, will she pursue her long-term goals… or her heart?
All work and no play…
Jane Garcia’s life is going according to plan: she’s dumped the cheating ex, moved into a beautiful house overlooking the San Francisco Bay, and expects to move up at her accounting firm. But when financial trouble strikes, she’s forced to rent a room to Grant Whitman, a scruffy writer with a full beard who knits his own hats.
No man is an island...
Grant Whitman has spent countless weeks alone in the wilderness researching his best-selling books. But after he meets Jane, he knows solitude isn’t going cut it anymore. She’s smart, strong, sexy... and the chemistry between them could roast marshmallows. The problem? A guy like Grant just doesn’t fit into Jane's plans.
Fools rush in…
As they grow closer, Jane isn’t sure she can continue to resist Grant—or even wants to. Soon all her careful plans begin to unravel like a badly knitted hat. And then, to his surprise, so do Grant’s.
But can their wild fling outlast the summer?
All work and no play…
Jane Garcia’s life is going according to plan: she’s dumped the cheating ex, moved into a beautiful house overlooking the San Francisco Bay, and expects to move up at her accounting firm. But when financial trouble strikes, she’s forced to rent a room to Grant Whitman, a scruffy writer with a full beard who knits his own hats.
No man is an island...
Grant Whitman has spent countless weeks alone in the wilderness researching his best-selling books. But after he meets Jane, he knows solitude isn’t going cut it anymore. She’s smart, strong, sexy... and the chemistry between them could roast marshmallows. The problem? A guy like Grant just doesn’t fit into Jane's plans.
Fools rush in…
As they grow closer, Jane isn’t sure she can continue to resist Grant—or even wants to. Soon all her careful plans begin to unravel like a badly knitted hat. And then, to his surprise, so do Grant’s.
But can their wild fling outlast the summer?
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2017
463 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Galway
27 books367 followersGRETCHEN GALWAY is a USA Today bestselling author who writes mystery, fantasy, and romance. She lives in Sonoma County, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 15, 2017
Read only three fourth book.
HATED Jane. Grant deserved someone much better.
HATED Jane. Grant deserved someone much better.
February 11, 2018
Trigger Warning: There is camping in this book. Camping is evil and should be avoided at ALL costs, even in fiction. (The camping depictions did not ruin the book for me, but anyone with an extreme camping phobia/hatred may want to pass.)
Going Wild is a silly and fun read. It's definitely on the lighter side of romance, which can be a very good thing some days.
Jane, our heroine, is a woman who has always done her best to make the "correct" decisions in her life. And as we often find out in life, just making what we think are the right decisions doesn't always bring us exactly what we expect. Grant, our hero, is a guy who has always followed his heart and passion. He also finds that getting what you think you wanted may not be what you want forever.
I felt that Jane and Grant worked well together. They were both caring and thoughtful people and their differences completed each other well. I am glad that they ended up together.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fun contemporary romance with a bit of silliness.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Going Wild is a silly and fun read. It's definitely on the lighter side of romance, which can be a very good thing some days.
Jane, our heroine, is a woman who has always done her best to make the "correct" decisions in her life. And as we often find out in life, just making what we think are the right decisions doesn't always bring us exactly what we expect. Grant, our hero, is a guy who has always followed his heart and passion. He also finds that getting what you think you wanted may not be what you want forever.
I felt that Jane and Grant worked well together. They were both caring and thoughtful people and their differences completed each other well. I am glad that they ended up together.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fun contemporary romance with a bit of silliness.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 10, 2017
I absolutely love Gretchen's style of romantic comedies. She creates characters who are very personable and come right off the pages. Gretchen brings to life scenarios that make you cringe with empathy at the leading female's embarrassing moment or grin ear-to-ear during the subtle but not so subtle flirty dialogue.
A few favorite characters from past Oakland Hills books make cameo appearances in Going Wild, which brings the entire series full circle and reminds you why you love them all in their own sweet and quirky ways.
And let's not forget the inevitable Book Boyfriend! Just when you think you couldn't possibly fall for another Oakland Hills man, all of them vastly different, here comes another. If you think lumberjacks aren't your thing, you're wrong.
This book seemed somewhat shorter than previous books in the series, but that just could have been me reading through the book so quickly. It's a lighthearted romantic comedy that is easy to read and hard to forget.
A few favorite characters from past Oakland Hills books make cameo appearances in Going Wild, which brings the entire series full circle and reminds you why you love them all in their own sweet and quirky ways.
And let's not forget the inevitable Book Boyfriend! Just when you think you couldn't possibly fall for another Oakland Hills man, all of them vastly different, here comes another. If you think lumberjacks aren't your thing, you're wrong.
This book seemed somewhat shorter than previous books in the series, but that just could have been me reading through the book so quickly. It's a lighthearted romantic comedy that is easy to read and hard to forget.
February 19, 2018
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I really loved this story. It's a low drama upbeat contemporary with two characters who seem like they don't have a lot in common. Neither expects that a relationship will happen, and it's fun to watch them realize they are getting into one. I liked how Jane is little miss perfect, but she's not sure if that's enough. Grant, on the other hand, is disheveled and impulsive, but he's wondering what happens next in life. Turns out what they both need is each other! Delightful story, and can be read as a standalone. I hadn't read any of the other Oakland Hills books.
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May 8, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/8/2019)! 🎁
June 3, 2019
really liked this!
May 11, 2017
I have long ago “gone wild” for the Oakland Hills series by Gretchen Galway! I loved the humor, the quirky characters and the everyday life situations those characters would find themselves in, all taking place in the vibrant area around San Francisco, California. So when it was the ever straight-laced Jane Garcia’s turn to be front and center, I was very, very curious of how the so-not-fun sister of Billie Garcia would fare. But as I hit the last line in the book, I can proclaim it a favorite!
Jane Garcia’s world is all in order. She is working her way up the corporate ladder at the small accounting firm she has toiled at in San Francisco, her inherited house will be ready to host an airbnb guest in the front bedroom and her jeans are starched and pressed. But when she backs her minivan into “Creative Non-Fiction” writer Grant Whitman’s beat-up Land Rover, Jane’s world begins to unravel like one of Grant’s hand-knitted socks. When Grant’s grandfather, the Mr. Whitman of the Whitman Firm, fires Jane at the company BBQ, Grant is sent over to Jane’s house to smooth things over until Jane can be “unfired.” Next thing you know, Grant is living in the front bedroom instead of an airbnb guest and calm, unemotional Jane is a mess!
This is a great read! Talk about two opposites - Jane loves everything neat and tidy, including her emotions. Grant is known for hiking a camping alone for days on end as research for his popular books - unshaven, unshowered and uninhibited. Yet Jane and Grant were perfect for each other in every way; Grant softened Jane’s sharp angles and edges while Jane reminded Grant that his “poodle” beard occasionally needs a wash and trim! Somehow, someway, I knew these two would make it work! And no visit to Oakland Hills would be complete without seeing some of our favorites from the past, like Aunt Trixie and Zeus! As I said, this one in the series may be my fav!!!
Jane Garcia’s world is all in order. She is working her way up the corporate ladder at the small accounting firm she has toiled at in San Francisco, her inherited house will be ready to host an airbnb guest in the front bedroom and her jeans are starched and pressed. But when she backs her minivan into “Creative Non-Fiction” writer Grant Whitman’s beat-up Land Rover, Jane’s world begins to unravel like one of Grant’s hand-knitted socks. When Grant’s grandfather, the Mr. Whitman of the Whitman Firm, fires Jane at the company BBQ, Grant is sent over to Jane’s house to smooth things over until Jane can be “unfired.” Next thing you know, Grant is living in the front bedroom instead of an airbnb guest and calm, unemotional Jane is a mess!
This is a great read! Talk about two opposites - Jane loves everything neat and tidy, including her emotions. Grant is known for hiking a camping alone for days on end as research for his popular books - unshaven, unshowered and uninhibited. Yet Jane and Grant were perfect for each other in every way; Grant softened Jane’s sharp angles and edges while Jane reminded Grant that his “poodle” beard occasionally needs a wash and trim! Somehow, someway, I knew these two would make it work! And no visit to Oakland Hills would be complete without seeing some of our favorites from the past, like Aunt Trixie and Zeus! As I said, this one in the series may be my fav!!!
May 8, 2017
Where can I find my own Grant?? I've been looking forward to Jane's story since meeting her character in Going For Broke last year and it was fantastic! Jane and Grant have a cute first meeting when she hits his car at her boss's house and it just keeps getting better and better. Grant is a gruff bear of a man with a sweet loving nature. Jane is all business at first but we get to see her grow and relax as she spends more time with laid back Grant. This book had me laughing out loud! Highly recommended!!
February 23, 2018
Going Wild by Gretchen Galway is the 6th book in the Oakland Hills series, and my first book by this author. I found this book to be a cute romantic comedy, but honestly I really disliked the female lead, Jane Garcia, and could care less if she was happy. I enjoyed Grant Whitman, the easy going author. I plan on giving this author another try.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 21, 2018
Starting this review is difficult for me because I LOVED the story and I really, really loved Grant. Jane though…I can’t say I ever warmed up to her. She was rigid, judgmental and so singularly focused that after a while I was hoping for a twist where a WAY better choice for Grant came along.
Alas, there was no twist.
Jane and Grant meet when she accidentally bumps into him with her minivan. She’s running late for a party at her employer’s home and she takes one look at his unkempt appearance and assumes he is a step above a vagrant and forces a wad of cash into his hand. Strike one.
What I liked about Going Wild was that Jane and Grant were both in a bit of a bind and needed each other. He wasn’t some dashing hero diving in to save her, and the fact that she was so independent and capable was something I really admired and loved about Jane. What I couldn’t understand was how someone so capable could let her mother treat her the way she did. But…family. I just wished that she would have stood up for herself when it came to Nicole or Troy or her mom. Any one of those would have done, especially considering the way she said really messed up things to Grant without even considering that it might hurt his feelings.
Grant is amazing. A creative non-fiction writer, he’s got a serious case of writer’s block and he’s certain Jane Garcia is the key to breaking it. Turns out, he was right and we get to see the fun that ensues.
By the time the end rolled around, I was smiling like a fool because Going Wild was a good story, and in line with the Oakland Hills series. Jane somewhat redeemed herself at the end, but honestly by then I no longer cared about her, but because Grant wanted her and I wanted him to get his HEA, I’m all right with it.
Alas, there was no twist.
Jane and Grant meet when she accidentally bumps into him with her minivan. She’s running late for a party at her employer’s home and she takes one look at his unkempt appearance and assumes he is a step above a vagrant and forces a wad of cash into his hand. Strike one.
What I liked about Going Wild was that Jane and Grant were both in a bit of a bind and needed each other. He wasn’t some dashing hero diving in to save her, and the fact that she was so independent and capable was something I really admired and loved about Jane. What I couldn’t understand was how someone so capable could let her mother treat her the way she did. But…family. I just wished that she would have stood up for herself when it came to Nicole or Troy or her mom. Any one of those would have done, especially considering the way she said really messed up things to Grant without even considering that it might hurt his feelings.
Grant is amazing. A creative non-fiction writer, he’s got a serious case of writer’s block and he’s certain Jane Garcia is the key to breaking it. Turns out, he was right and we get to see the fun that ensues.
By the time the end rolled around, I was smiling like a fool because Going Wild was a good story, and in line with the Oakland Hills series. Jane somewhat redeemed herself at the end, but honestly by then I no longer cared about her, but because Grant wanted her and I wanted him to get his HEA, I’m all right with it.
May 12, 2017
This book literally had me laughing out loud all the way through!!
Finally the long awaited Book 6 of Gretchen Galway's Oakland Hills collection- Going Wild is here and does not disappoint! And, as always, I love Galway's perfectly imperfect leads.
Grant, our brutally handsome hero, attempts to rescue Jane as she loses her accounting job with his grandfather's company for refusing to "cook the books" for a long time client-unbeknownst to the grandfather- by subletting a room in her Oakland Hills home. Meanwhile, Jane unintentionally helps to lift Grant's writing block for his latest factual wilderness book as he creates "Fane"- Jane in the woods. While polar opposites, Jane (think Miss Priss) and Grant (think Grizzly Adams) can't deny the spark between them as well as the differences. I love how they inspire each other without even knowing it.
Always welcome in the Oakland Hill series; Trixie makes an appearance with her array of recuse dogs and her matchmaking karma. There is a nice sprinkling of other characters from previous books, namely Billie, Jane's sister and her fiancé Ian from book 5.
Finally the long awaited Book 6 of Gretchen Galway's Oakland Hills collection- Going Wild is here and does not disappoint! And, as always, I love Galway's perfectly imperfect leads.
Grant, our brutally handsome hero, attempts to rescue Jane as she loses her accounting job with his grandfather's company for refusing to "cook the books" for a long time client-unbeknownst to the grandfather- by subletting a room in her Oakland Hills home. Meanwhile, Jane unintentionally helps to lift Grant's writing block for his latest factual wilderness book as he creates "Fane"- Jane in the woods. While polar opposites, Jane (think Miss Priss) and Grant (think Grizzly Adams) can't deny the spark between them as well as the differences. I love how they inspire each other without even knowing it.
Always welcome in the Oakland Hill series; Trixie makes an appearance with her array of recuse dogs and her matchmaking karma. There is a nice sprinkling of other characters from previous books, namely Billie, Jane's sister and her fiancé Ian from book 5.
May 11, 2019
Oh globbets. :(
This was going wonderfully until they ended up having sex at the 57% mark. After that it all fell a bit flat somehow and Jane went even weirder than she was before the sex! Not much happened after that point, and the whole camping malarkey seemed pointless.
I liked Jane at first. She was definitely an oddball but there was no reason given for her weirdness which made her a bit ...weird?? Her mother however, was horrific. The sort of parent that any woman with an ounce of courage would disown. I loathed the way Jane allowed herself to be treated like that.> There were a few ??? moments - such as Andrew. What was the point in 'Andrew' - he came, he was rude, he left. But Grant was delightful, and so was Troy in a very different way.
Up to the 57% mark this was going to be a solid 4 stars, but then it focussed on sex and Janes weirdness and I somehow lost the plot. Shame really, because if the sex had been held off until nearer the end there would have been a really great story here. As it was, it turned out to be a run-of-the-mill 'romance' with a slightly weird female, a decent guy and sex. And that was all.
Such a shame.
This was going wonderfully until they ended up having sex at the 57% mark. After that it all fell a bit flat somehow and Jane went even weirder than she was before the sex! Not much happened after that point, and the whole camping malarkey seemed pointless.
I liked Jane at first. She was definitely an oddball but there was no reason given for her weirdness which made her a bit ...weird?? Her mother however, was horrific. The sort of parent that any woman with an ounce of courage would disown. I loathed the way Jane allowed herself to be treated like that.> There were a few ??? moments - such as Andrew. What was the point in 'Andrew' - he came, he was rude, he left. But Grant was delightful, and so was Troy in a very different way.
Up to the 57% mark this was going to be a solid 4 stars, but then it focussed on sex and Janes weirdness and I somehow lost the plot. Shame really, because if the sex had been held off until nearer the end there would have been a really great story here. As it was, it turned out to be a run-of-the-mill 'romance' with a slightly weird female, a decent guy and sex. And that was all.
Such a shame.
January 25, 2019
GREAT ROMANTIC STORY!!!
Loved this book! It has a very interesting and enjoyable storyline. Gretchen's heroes are always so yummy and sweet too. Grant was all of that! I really liked the banter between him and Jane .... It was cute and funny! I got a kick out of getting caught up with Billie and Ian, Trixie and Hugo and the Johnson family. All of these Oakland Hills books have been so good.... I have enjoyed every one of them. I really liked that Gretchen gave us an epilogue... I am a huge fan of authors that do that - so many romance writers just cut the story off which is very unsatisfying!! I highly recommend this book. It is a standalone but once you read it you will want to go back and read the other excellent books in this series!!!!! 😊
Loved this book! It has a very interesting and enjoyable storyline. Gretchen's heroes are always so yummy and sweet too. Grant was all of that! I really liked the banter between him and Jane .... It was cute and funny! I got a kick out of getting caught up with Billie and Ian, Trixie and Hugo and the Johnson family. All of these Oakland Hills books have been so good.... I have enjoyed every one of them. I really liked that Gretchen gave us an epilogue... I am a huge fan of authors that do that - so many romance writers just cut the story off which is very unsatisfying!! I highly recommend this book. It is a standalone but once you read it you will want to go back and read the other excellent books in this series!!!!! 😊
January 10, 2019
When I’m put through an emotional cycle while reading, I know it was meant to be. Grant was my ultimate favorite person. He was light, humorous and relatable. Someone I would enjoy very much if he happen to be real. He wasn’t someone who people had a difficult time warming up to but rather taken to easily...
Jane however was the person that had to be taken bit by bit, otherwise you could go into overload. She stressed me out so much and I had to pep-talk a few times, like “get. It. Together. Girl!”
Overall,I caught myself chuckling quite a bit of times and also getting Teary eyed.
Jane however was the person that had to be taken bit by bit, otherwise you could go into overload. She stressed me out so much and I had to pep-talk a few times, like “get. It. Together. Girl!”
Overall,I caught myself chuckling quite a bit of times and also getting Teary eyed.
August 6, 2019
Great read, I love this series.
It was nice to see past characters and to get to meet new and extended family.
I really enjoyed Jane and Grant. How they both thought they were perfectly happy on their own until they met each other, and then they were both too stubborn to admit it.
I love the comedy and the little funny quips.
I have to say, it wasn’t as steamy as previous books in the series, but it certainly didn’t spoil the story, the sexual tension was perfect, and their attraction very apparent.
It was great to revisit Oakland again.
It was nice to see past characters and to get to meet new and extended family.
I really enjoyed Jane and Grant. How they both thought they were perfectly happy on their own until they met each other, and then they were both too stubborn to admit it.
I love the comedy and the little funny quips.
I have to say, it wasn’t as steamy as previous books in the series, but it certainly didn’t spoil the story, the sexual tension was perfect, and their attraction very apparent.
It was great to revisit Oakland again.
July 31, 2023
A very uptight classically characterized CPA female becomes attracted to the son of the owner of the firm whose elderly owner is very ticked off at her cause he think she caused them to lose the account of his former best friend’s son. It is a really good set up for her to meet the son who is a wilderness books author (rejecting the family business). Of course they cannot see themselves making his grizzly work with her Ms Prim CPA. Of course, it ends up working. I enjoyed it very much. Some logistics didn’t align, but nothing that really mattered.
November 19, 2025
I read a lot of reviews where people talked about disliking Jane and how she had no personality but as someone that is neurotypical and reads a lot of books with neurotypical characters, Jane just seemed to be on the spectrum to me so I understood her. She was a little stiff and kooky at times but it was so very her. Absolutely adored Grant. I do feel like the emotional connection wasn't shown as much as I would have liked. Overall a decent book but IDK that I'm dying to read the rest of the series.
May 29, 2019
It was okay, I guess? Jane, the female protagonist, was fairly unlikable and I didn't find myself warming up to her at any point during the book. I found myself whispering "you can do better" to Grant whenever he was alone. Poor Grant. A decent read if you can get it for free and have nothing else to do. I definitely feel like this author can do better - maybe I simply didn't click with these characters.
October 11, 2021
The tie in was stupid
These were not my people. A trust fund kid who slums and an uptight accountant. If the trip into the woods would have been funnier. Or the tie ins not so numerous. I hate when almost everybody from previous books are dragged in for a cameo. And I'm sorry but just from the description of Ian I'm not reading that book. Anyone that can do that to someone then add insult to injury isn't someone I want to have an HEA.
These were not my people. A trust fund kid who slums and an uptight accountant. If the trip into the woods would have been funnier. Or the tie ins not so numerous. I hate when almost everybody from previous books are dragged in for a cameo. And I'm sorry but just from the description of Ian I'm not reading that book. Anyone that can do that to someone then add insult to injury isn't someone I want to have an HEA.
December 13, 2024
This is my first book by this author. Going Wild is the 6th book in the Oakland Hills series. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. It was a quick and easy read.
I enjoyed the banter between Grant and Jane. Grant is a real cinnamon roll and Jane ….. I found it difficult to really “love “ her. But I was rooting for them all the way.
I will definitely read more by Gretchen Galway.
I enjoyed the banter between Grant and Jane. Grant is a real cinnamon roll and Jane ….. I found it difficult to really “love “ her. But I was rooting for them all the way.
I will definitely read more by Gretchen Galway.
March 1, 2018
I actually really enjoy Gretchen Galway's novels and she's becoming my go-to contemporary writer. When I want a quick, easy read that I can just zone out with, Gretchen's novels are it.
The book was easy to read, the plot was pretty predictable (but really these ones always are). I really really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read some more by this author!
The book was easy to read, the plot was pretty predictable (but really these ones always are). I really really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read some more by this author!
March 20, 2018
Cute and fun
Gretchen Galway is one of my go-to authors.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
The humor
Part of a series: Oakland Hills
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book from NetGalley.
Gretchen Galway is one of my go-to authors.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
The humor
Part of a series: Oakland Hills
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book from NetGalley.
June 11, 2019
I jumped ahead in reading the oakland books in order. I have read the first 3 of these and enjoyed them. This was much in the same vein. There were some nods to earlier story (and a couple of references I didn't quite get but that was ok). I liked the key characters but there was nothing to push this book over the edge into amazing.
August 2, 2022
2.5 stars. Jane has been portrayed as an uptight, scary and angry person so I was looking forward to seeing behind that facade. I felt that there was less a shift in thinking but rather a psychotic breakdown. And, they got together without really talking about their mutual freakouts. Also, Jane's Mother was terrible.
May 7, 2017
The Oakland Hills series if full of fun fast paced stories that delight. Going Wild in a wonderful addition to the series. I enjoyed every minute of it. You can't go wrong with one of Gretchen Galway's book. I highly recommend this book, along with the series.
May 10, 2019
I did not like Jane, the main character. She was petty and cold. Grant, Jane’s love interest, was the only character that I liked. He should be with someone much better than Jane. In fact, all of the other characters were much too self-centered. I will not be reading any other books by this author.
May 11, 2019
A California Charmer.
Gretchen Galway tells a tale about Love in San Francisco area.
The details about the area and well developed characters are inspiring.
I hope to read her other books soon.
Gretchen Galway tells a tale about Love in San Francisco area.
The details about the area and well developed characters are inspiring.
I hope to read her other books soon.
June 1, 2019
Great, quick summer read!
I enjoyed this book very much! Loved the character developments. I plan to read the rest of the books in this series! I also plan to follow Gretchen Galway to see what she writes next.
I enjoyed this book very much! Loved the character developments. I plan to read the rest of the books in this series! I also plan to follow Gretchen Galway to see what she writes next.
January 15, 2023
I recently found and became a huge fan of this author. I spend thru the Oakland Hills series and loved everyone of them. The characters are fun and relatable (highly approve that not all heroines have to be Uber thin to have a man be interested)and loved that the characters intertwined throughout the books. They became a true family. I highly recommend this book and author.
June 17, 2017
I didn't enjoy this one as much as I have the other Oakland Hills books. It could be my state of mind, so I might re-read it. I didn't care for Jane all that much, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews